Balinese Food Guide: From Suckling Pig to Local Favourites

Some come to Bali for the beaches, some for the wellness lifestyle, and others come with one mission: eat their way around the island! Bali is famous for babi guling, or Balinese suckling pig, a whole pig traditionally stuffed with a rich blend of spices, then slowly roasted until the skin turns beautifully crrrissspyy! It’s also a dish often associated with Balinese ceremonies and special occasions, though you can find it at local warungs and eateries, too.

Babi guling might steal the spotlight, but there are also other tasty Balinese dishes to explore. So, if your belly is ready for a little adventure, here’s where our Balinese friends think you should eat.

You may also like this article: Where to Eat Indonesian Food in Bali

Babi Guling Bu Desak Sapat – Gianyar

Forget beauty sleep. There’s babi guling to eat. This long-standing spot in Tegallalang, Gianyar, has been serving Balinese suckling pig since the 1990s. They open at 5am – yes, 5am! And they sell out pretty quickly, so a super early visit is your best bet, because once the pork is gone, it’s gawnn!

📍Google Map: Babi Guling Bu Desak Sapat

Balinese Food Guide and Suckling Pig - Babi Guling Bu Desak

Image credit: Babi Guling Bu Desak Sapat Instagram

Babi Guling Jero Kawan – Munggu

The crispy skin is a must-try, and it’s full of flavour! The portions are generous, there’s a good mix of side dishes, and you can ask for non-spicy if you’re not brave enough, hehe. It’s also not too far from Canggu, so if you’re getting a little tired of Instagram-famous coffee shops, here’s your excuse to get out and explore some proper local flavours. Your taste buds will thank you.

📍Google Map: Babi Guling Jero Kawan

Balinese Food Guide - Babi Guling Jero Kawan

Image credit: Babi Guling Jero Kawan Instagram

Babi Guling Men Lari – Canggu

In the middle of Canggu’s cafes, gyms and protein smoothies, you’ll find a traditional-looking restaurant tucked in the corner, serving none other than babi guling. Pretty sure you’ve spotted it from the main road on your way to padel or pilates, lol. They serve babi guling the classic way in a plate of nasi campur with aaaaall the good stuff.

📍Google Map: Babi Guling Men Lari

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Men Lari

Image credit: Babi Guling Men Lari Google page

Paon Dwaji – Denpasar

Here, you can get your chicken or duck grilled, smoked, or cooked Betutu-style (seasoned with Balinese mix of spices, usually wrapped and slow-cooked until tender). The meat is juicy and flavourful, and if you can handle a bit of heat, have it with sambal matah, Bali’s fresh raw chilli condiment made with chopped shallots, lemongrass, chillies and a squeeze of lime. It’s fragrant, spicy and adds a lovely kick to every bite.

📍Google Map: Paon Dwaji

Image credit: Paon Dwaji Google page

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Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku – Ubud

They have five branches now, but our favourite is still the OG in Kedewatan, Ubud. Here, you get to dine in a bale (Balinese pavilion) surrounded by garden views. It’s giving that old-school Bali holiday feeling, before beach clubs took over the island, lol. The menu is pretty simple; rice and chicken – that’s tasty as fudge! Don’t forget to try their sate lilit – it’s a Balinese minced meat mixed with spices and grated coconut, wrapped around a lemongrass stalk or skewer.

📍Google Map: Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu Mangku

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Kedewatan

Image credit: Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Instagram

Warung Mek Juwel – Ubud

Another Ubud legend, this spot has been serving up local goodness since the 80s. Like most nasi campur (mixed rice), expect a plate of rice with a little bit of everything: chicken, sate lilit, egg, urap (a Balinese salad of boiled vegetables tossed with grated coconut) and, of course, sambal. It’s a simple, satisfying plate that brings together all those lovely Balinese flavours in one go.

📍Google Map: Warung Mek Juwel Nasi Campur Ayam

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Mek Juwel

Image credit: Warung Mek Juwel Google page

Warkop Mang Siko – Tabanan

Warkop, short for warung kopi, basically means coffee shop. And yes, they do serve coffee, but you wouldn’t drive all the way to Tabanan just for a cup. The real reason to make the trip is their brisket and smoked chicken, served Bali-style with rice and all the usual sambal goodness. It’s also a nice spot to take a little break from Bali’s touristy hotspots and enjoy a more laid-back side of the island.

📍Google Map: Warkop Mang Siko

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Warkop Mang Siko

Image credit: Warkop Mang Siko Google Page

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Babi Guling Men Wenci – Sangeh

When was the last time you visited Bali and went to Sangeh? Not that you need an excuse to venture outside of the usual Bali’s popular neighbourhoods, but if you’re looking for one, how about a plate of delicious babi guling at Men Wenci? Hehe. Maybe this local food gem is just the motivation you need to explore another side of Bali that’s full of local charm.

📍Google Map: Babi Guling Men Wenci Sangeh

Image credit: Babi Guling Men Wenci Google page

Sate Babi Bledor – Sangeh

And while in Sangeh, make another stop at Sate Babi Bledor. It’s the Indonesian-style satay with that good ol’ peanut sauce we all know and love, but make it pork. The pork skewers are traditionally grilled over charcoal, giving them that lovely smoky aroma and slightly charred edges, hmmmm. There are two locations in the area, but both are run by the same owner.

📍Google Map: Sate Babi Bledor I, Sate Babi Bledor II

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Sate Babi Bledor

Image credit: Sate Babi Bledor Google page

Guling Samsam Merekak – Mengwi

They have four locations, but the one closest to us is in Mengwi. Their signature dish is guling samsam, which is a rolled pork belly packed with Balinese spices and cooked until crispy. You can order it as a sharing portion if you’re coming with friends, or have it as part of a nasi campur if you want to try a bit of everything on one plate. It’s definitely one for the pork lovers!

📍Google Map: Guling Samsam Merekak

Balinese Local Food and Suckling Pig - Guling Samsam

Image credit: Guling Samsam Merekak Google page

Bali’s food scene goes waayyy beyond avo on toast, smoothie bowls and pretty brunch spots. Not that we don’t love those too! But sometimes, the best way to get to know the island is through its local food, little warungs and places you might not find on your usual Bali itinerary. So save this guide for next time you’re wondering where to eat. Your next favourite meal might be waiting somewhere unexpected. Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy this listicle!

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27 Feb 2025 by Bella in Eats

Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie: Semarang’s Sweetest Escape

Travelling around Java, especially Central Java is becoming more popular, thanks to new the toll road from Jakarta that makes the drive possible in just five to eight hours. While Yogyakarta has always been a tourist favourite, Semarang is starting to steal the spotlight. Some visit for its iconic landmarks like Kota Lama and the historic Lawang Sewu, while others are all about the street food. But did you know Semarang’s cafe, restaurant and bar scene is also flourishing? I won’t go into all the great spots in this article, but I have to share a little gem that stole my heart and keeps me coming back every time I’m in town; Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie. The lively and inviting space in the lobby of Padma Hotel Semarang - image by Goolali Located in the city’s current “it” spot - Padma Hotel Semarang, which has been the talk of the town since it opened, Goolali is home to over 35 flavours of gelato (well, the name does have "gelato bar" in it, hehe). They also serve beautifully crafted mini gâteaux with unique flavours, macarons, bonbons, and oh! I have to rave about the pastries! Their croissants and danishes are out of this world, especially when they’re fresh from the oven (you have to show up early in the morning for this, but it’s totally worth it!). Another highlight of visiting Goolali is their afternoon tea. Instead of the usual tiered setup, they’ve gone for a whimsical-magical-fantastical style that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. And it’s very…I hate to say this word..."Instagrammable". There, I said it. A very unique afternoon tea experience - image by Goolali The name Goolali is a playful twist on the traditional snack gulali. The overall ambiance is fun and vibrant, with bright colours and quirky dessert monster illustrations adorning the packaging and interior, created by Bandung-based artist Addy Debil. Though located in a luxury hotel, Goolali has a warm and welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home, even if you’re just stopping by for a sweet treat (yes, they happily welcome outside guests!). Some of the #TravelwithGoolali collection - image by Goolali The cute packaging makes Goolali a great gift or oleh-oleh from Semarang. Take home some homemade jams, dragées, or cookies and don’t forget to hashtag #travelwithgoolali when posting on social media! They also create beautiful hampers for special occasions, and with Ramadan around the corner, they’ve got a special collection ready. Follow @goolalisemarang on Instagram to keep an eye on their mini gâteaux of the day. Plus, be ready for the chef’s special surprises! Stay Tune at Kata Bella for more! Goolali Gelato Bar & Pâtisserie 📍 Padma Hotel Semarang Jl. Sultan Agung No.86, Wonotingal, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50252 ⏰ Opening Hour: 8am - 10pm WIB

30 Jun 2026 by Bella in Eats

Bali Brunch: A Slow Saturday Done Right at Waatu's Otsumami

Bali Brunch: A Slow Saturday Done Right at Waatu's Otsumami Bali is small, but also big. It always feels like if you live in one neighbourhood here, everywhere else suddenly becomes far - especially if you're based in "Republic of Canggu". On a very unplanned weekend, a friend of mine who had just left her job and is currently thriving in her free-time era had this idea of spending a Saturday in Ungasan for an all-you-can-eat Japanese brunch at Waatu. Yes, Ungasan. Because when you can do anything and go anywhere, why not choose somewhere that takes a couple of hours (or more) to get to, right? Hehe. I’d heard of Waatu before, but all I really knew was that it’s an open-flame grill restaurant with a cliffside view. After a little Instagram research, I found out they also have a nice pool, and there’s no gas stove involved in the kitchen - everything runs on fire and charcoal. What a traditional, elemental way to cook! Very interesting. Also, I love Japanese food. So I thought, okay - let’s go! You may also like this article: SKAI Bar & Grill in Legian: Same Soul, Refined Experience My first impression After the long journey from Canggu up to Bukit (the hilly area of Bali), we were rewarded with a calm and peaceful atmosphere -like finding a little cliffside nook with a view that made me realise I might have been taking Bali for granted just because I live here. We took a moment to soak it all in before heading to our table. At this point, I was getting very excited to eat. The warm and welcoming vibe that greeted us as soon as we arrived A table full of Japanese favourites Move over avocado on toast! Because this is more my kind of brunch. Upon arrival, you will be given a list of menu to choose from. We started simple with a bowl of edamame, then little by little we moved into the otsumami (traditional Japanese savoury snacks). You can expect Japanese comfort food like kaarage chicken, yakitori, pork & chive gyoza, pork ribs (this was one of the highlights!). There was also a lighter option like seaweed salad and chawanmushi. If you’re feeling a bit extra, you can also upgrade your set with dishes like lobster tail and flank steak. The brunch runs for two hours, which I think is enough to enjoy the food without rushing. Everything was delicious, but make sure you save some room for dessert! You may also like this article: Restaurants in Legian and Seminyak: Kata Bella's Picks 2026 The Vibe Continued If you’re not in the mood for dessert, you can round off your brunch with one of their cocktails instead. Luna di Limo, a lime aperitivo with lychee liqueur, is a great choice if you like tropical fruit flavours. Or be adventurous with a touch of Indonesian flavour, like pandan mixed with vanilla in Verdant Silhouette. Fun fact: their drinks are made in-house using their own fermentation techniques, making them anything but ordinary. The whole Saturday then carried on with a live DJ playing coastal house and upbeat tracks into the afternoon. It had been a while since I had a Saturday like that - slow and unrushed. A curated selection of their in-house fermented drinks The Verdict So...the big question, was the trip to Ungasan worth it? Haha, yes! Definitely. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, and next time I’m bringing more of my girl friends along for the ride. By the way, if you come for the brunch, you also get complimentary access to the pool overlooking a cliffside view of the sea, so don’t forget to bring your swimmers, sunnies, books, and other pool-day essentials. Thanks for reading - hope this inspires your next weekend getaway to Ungasan. More Information 📍Location: Waatu 🌐 www.waatu.com 📱@waatu.bali ☎️ Reservation ⏰ Otsumami is on every Saturday, 11am to 4pm 💰 IDR 550,000++ per person (food only)

27 Sep 2026 by Bella in Eats

Got a Sweet Tooth? Add These Dessert Spots in Bali to Your List!

Dessert Spots in Bali Bali has no shortage of places to satisfy a sweet tooth. From little neighbourhood bakeries to beautiful cafes and restaurants that take dessert very seriously, there’s always something tempting to try. I have a serious sweet tooth myself, so I almost always end a meal with something sweet *guilty! But here’s the plot twist: I’m not actually much of a cake person. Anything too spongey just isn’t for me. So, to keep things fair, this list is a mix of my personal dessert favourites and the Kata Bella team’s go-to cake spots. Between us, we’ve got pretty much every kind of sweet craving covered; cake lovers, non-cake lovers and everyone in between. You may also like this article: Where to Buy Salt bread in Bali - From Home Bakeries to Popular Cafes Dessert Spots in BaliBono Tiramisu - UmalasSobas Sweets - UmalasAmore Pâtisserie - CangguTata's Pudding - West DenpasarPie Society - UmalasEttore Gelato - PererenanYamuna Pastry - KerobokanVloven - South Denpasar Bono Tiramisu - Umalas One word: tiramisu. I have a soft spot for dessert joints that focus on one thing they know they do really well, and this little place is exactly that. Start with the classic tiramisu, then work your way through the other flavours - strawberry, banana Nutella, matcha, and Biscoff. They also occasionally bring out seasonal flavours and team up with other local businesses for fun little collabs. It’s small, simple and perfect for those mornings when you suddenly wake up and think, “I want tiramisu!” I know it happens sometimes. 📍Google Map: Bono Tiramisu Bar Image credit: Bono Tiramisu Instagram Sobas Sweets - Umalas Say hello to Bono’s neighbour! Literally just a few steps away, you’ll find Soba’s Sweets and their handcrafted chocolates that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Their nice fillings range from refreshing lemon pie, passion fruit and lychee rose to more indulgent ones like crème brûlée, brown butter hazelnut and Earl Grey. They also roll out seasonal flavours for Christmas and special occasions - you better pop by and see what’s new. They make a lovely little pressie for loved ones or, you know...yourself, hehe. 📍Google Map: Sobas Sweets Image credit: Sobas Instagram Amore Pâtisserie - Canggu Not everything needs to be a "hidden gem", fancy, photogenic or served in a trendy little box. Amore on the main Jalan Raya Padonan in Canggu is a small, locally owned patisserie that keeps things simple; bread, cakes and other baked goodies made well and with plenty of amore. The kind of place that feels like it’s just quietly doing its thing rather than trying to keep up with the latest bakery trend. What’s available changes every now and then, so pop in, see what's on display, and let the pastry Gods decide what you’re taking home. 📍Google Map: Amore Pâtisserie Bali Lihat post ini di Instagram You may also like this article: Best Coffee Shops in Canggu, Umalas, and Nearby Areas - My Personal Favourites Tata's Pudding - West Denpasar When Indonesians say pudding, it’s more of a soft, jelly-textured dessert. Tata’s Pudding comes in all sorts of flavours, from fruity to milky and chocolatey, with both sharing sizes and little individual portions. Our favourite has to be the little jars of pudding served in syrup; Snow White (lychee and soursop), and Ximilu (mixed fruits). Their shop is in Denpasar, but you can also order through GoFood or GrabFood. 📍Google Map: Tata's Pudding Lihat post ini di Instagram Pie Society - Umalas Their main thing is meat pies, which also happen to be one of my favourites, but every now and then I like to throw lemon pie and apple pie into the order too. They also do a chocolate caramel pie and chewy cookies if you’re after a little extra chocolatey goodness. 📍Google Map: Pie Society Bali Image credit: Pie Society Instagram Ettore Gelato - Pererenan For rich, creamy gelato, Ettore is one to keep on your radar. You’ll find all the usual favourites you’d expect at a gelato shop, but done with plenty of richness. My usual order is coffee and pistachio - a combination I can happily stick with. But go for the chocolate if you're having a serious chocolate craving. 📍Google Map: Ettore Gelato Pererenan Yamuna Pastry - Kerobokan If you’re after some traditional Indonesian flavours, this place puts a fun cakey spin on some much-loved local sweets. Their Klepon Cake takes inspiration those little green glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar and rolled in grated coconut. Then there’s the Martabak Cake, inspired by Indonesia’s beloved thick, fluffy stuffed pancake, and the Es Teler Cake, complete with toppings like jackfruit and coconut jelly, just like the refreshing shaved iced dessert it’s based on. You can grab them by the slice or pre-order a whole cake for birthdays, or any excuse to bring cake to the table. And if you’re not feeling quite so adventurous, they also make cheesecake. 📍Google Map: Yamuna Pastry Vloven - South Denpasar I first came across Vloven when I was hunting for hampers, because they’re always coming up with the prettiest, out-of-the-box creations for big holidays. Then I discovered they have a shop too, where you can order their goodies individually. They make mousse cakes in all sorts of shapes, flavours and sizes, alongside choux, tartlets and cookies. They're all very pretty and delicious. 📍Google Map: Vloven Pâtisserie Lihat post ini di Instagram So here's our little guide to getting your sweet fix around Bali. We’ll keep adding to this list as we discover more, because there’s really only one way to do proper dessert research: eat... more... dessert! hehe. So yes, consider this list a work in progress. Our sweet tooth is always ready for another assignment, and we promise there’ll be more delicious discoveries coming your way.

Balinese Food Guide: From Suckling Pig to Local Favourites